Archives for April 2022

Tanning may have seemed harmless when you were young, but as you got older, you realized it came at an expense, namely wrinkles, sunspots, and possibly skin cancer. If you tanned over your lifetime, there’s no need to feel guilty. Plenty of people did it and it was popular for quite some time. You, or people around you, may have taken all types of steps to achieve bronzed skin. Whether you baked outside with foil reflectors and baby oil or frequently visited the tanning salon (if that’s you, know that you are not alone!)…it’s time for a skin check. 

  

If you took those actions back in the day, fast forward to 2022, and that’s a substantial amount of accumulated sun damage. Many people who started tanning decades ago are now experiencing the negative impact of skin cancer. Although skin cancer sounds scary, it’s also highly treatable when caught early. 

  

What are the Risk Factors for Developing Skin Cancer? 

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and it can occur anywhere on the body. The main risk factors for skin cancer are exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds, fair skin that burns quickly, a history of sunburns, and a family history of skin cancer. While anyone can develop skin cancer, it is more common in people over 50. People with lighter skin color are also at greater risk of developing skin cancer. 

  

How Can You Tell if You Have Skin Cancer? 

If you’re concerned about skin cancer, there are a few things you can look for to determine if you might have the condition. The most common sign of skin cancer is a change in the color, size, shape, or feel of a mole or other spot on the skin. You should also watch out for new lesions or growths on the skin and sores that don’t heal. If you notice any of these changes, it’s essential to see a doctor for a diagnosis. 

  

What are the Different Types of Skin Cancer? 

There are several different types of skin cancer, and each one has its own unique set of symptoms. The most common types of skin cancer are melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, and it can be deadly if not treated early. 

 

How Can You Prevent Skin Cancer from Happening? 

You can do many things to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. The most important is to protect yourself from UV radiation by using sunscreen, wearing a hat and sunglasses, and avoiding sun exposure during peak hours. You should also avoid tanning beds and check your skin regularly for any changes that might be signs of cancer. 

Conclusion 

Skin cancer is a serious disease, but it’s also highly treatable when caught early. Sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer, so it’s essential to protect yourself from UV radiation. Prevention is key, so avoid tanning beds, use sunscreen, and avoid sun exposure when possible.

If you’re concerned about skin cancer, schedule an appointment with one of our West Dermatology providers today. 

Your skin is an amazing organ. In addition to being beautiful, your skin performs a series of vital functions. It regulates your body temperature, protects you from potentially harmful pathogens, detects environmental changes like intense heat or cold, and prevents water loss. It can also grow thick and luxurious hair! 

However, sometimes the first signs of serious illness appear on the skin. 

The most common form of cancer in the United States is skin cancer. While the overwhelming majority of cases are nonmelanoma skin cancers that aren’t typically life-threatening, a significant portion can become very serious. 

Early detection is the best tool for assuring good outcomes. Additionally, if abnormalities are detected quickly, you are less likely to require invasive, lengthy rounds of treatment. 

A routine 30-minute skin check at West Dermatology could alert you to potentially significant skin changes, from easily treatable skin disorders to more serious conditions like cancer. 

If you have been putting off a skin exam, here are a few facts about skin cancer that highlight the importance of routine screenings. 

According to a study published in 2010, approximately one-fifth of all Americans will have some type of skin cancer by the age of 70. 

There are three common forms of skin cancer: 

Malignant melanoma at its earliest stage is called melanoma in situ, or stage 0 noninvasive melanoma. This stage means the tumor is localized and exists only at the epidermis (the very top skin layer)

Stage I melanoma is still localized but has become invasive and has spread below the top layer of skin. At stages 0 and I, skin cancer has a survival rate of more than 98 percent. 

Once the cancer cells move beyond the localized stage more than 2 centimeters from the original tumor, it is called in-transit melanoma, or stage II melanoma. In-transit melanoma has a survival rate of approximately 62 percent. 

If the cancer progresses, it can spread to surrounding tissues and possibly the lymphatic system. When it spreads to the lymph nodes, the cancer cells can be carried to the organs and throughout the body. When cancer reaches the lymph nodes, it is considered stage III melanoma. Sadly, the 5-year survival rate drops considerably at stage III, particularly if it has spread to distant organs. 

Approximately 1% of all cases of skin cancer are invasive melanoma. Malignant melanoma can go from noninvasive to invasive in a manner of weeks. 

While a skin cancer diagnosis is scary, discovering an abnormality quickly could add decades to your life and preserve the health and appearance of your skin. In addition to having regular skin checks by a dermatologist, a routine home skin check will alert you to any potential concerns. 

You’ve probably heard (or used) the expression: “I know that like I know the back of my hand.” But how well do you really know the back of your hand? Or the backs of your knees, for that matter? 

We might think that we are familiar with our own skin, but subtle changes are easy to miss. Also, a change that might seem unimportant – something we misidentify as a bruise or insect bite – could be something more sinister. 

A 30-minute full-body skin check is a crucial early skin cancer detection solution. Here are some tips for performing a basic skin check at home. In addition to doing self-checks, scheduling an examination at West Dermatology will alert you to changes that could save your life. 

West Dermatology offers expertise, experience, and technological innovations that deliver extremely accurate assessments and exceptional outcomes. We are dedicated to providing compassionate care tailored to our patients’ unique needs. 

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month; isn’t it a good time to take control of the health of your skin? You can keep your skin strong, supple, and healthy with the right care. Schedule an appointment at with us today. 

As spring rains clean nature, let’s do the same for any tools, pillowcases, and masks that touch our face. They’ve built up quite a layer of gunk over the winter, so now is the time to get them sparkling clean again. And while we’re at it, let’s replace our old products, too. Fresh tools and products will help us spring into the new season knowing we’re ready to face anything that comes up.   

  

Wash Your Tools  

Bacteria, yeast, and fungus can build up on brushes and sponges, not to mention the rainbow of caked-on colors and oils. Spring is the perfect time to clean your makeup tools. Use warm water and a brush cleanser or gentle soap to wash them.    

 

Change Your Pillowcase   

It’s time to wash your pillowcase if it’s been a week since you last did so. Here’s why: a dirty pillowcase can lead to a breakout especially if you have sensitive skin or are acne-prone.  

  

Toss Synthetic Face Coverings  

Throw away any face coverings you have that are made from synthetics like rayon, nylon, and polyester. These fabrics can cause skin irritation and breakouts. Replace them instead with a breathable, natural fiber like cotton.   

  

Edit Your Makeup  

Spring is the perfect time to edit your makeup collection. Toss cracked or old makeup, like powder compacts or mascara that’s more than a few months old. Throw away anything that’s worn-out, dirty, or expired. Also, get rid of products you don’t use because they don’t look good on your skin tone. You’ll be left with an edited makeup collection that makes it easy to find what you’re looking for. Just remember also to clean up your makeup bags.   

  

Freshen Your Makeup Bags  

Now’s the time to freshen your makeup bags and containers. If you’re cleaning up what’s inside them, it only makes sense to clean them too. Most makeup bags can be turned inside out and thrown into the washing machine. If yours is delicate, hand wash it with a gentle cleanser. If your makeup bag is beyond cleaning, chuck it and buy a fresh one.   

  

Replace Old Sunscreens   

Head into the spring season with a full-potency sunscreen that’s ready to do its job to protect your skin from UV rays. Did you know last years’ sunscreen may be too weak to protect your skin? That’s because it expires after the “use by” date that’s printed on the container. So, check your bottles of sunscreen and refresh them if you need to. We recommend EltaMD UV Active Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ if you need sunscreen.    

  

Schedule a Skin Check  

The start of a new season calls for a shift in gears and while swapping out heavy winter face creams for lightweight formulas is advised, it’s sometimes so much more than that. That’s where we come in. Schedule a skin check with us today and we can help give you customized advice that is specific to you and your skin type. We are here to help refresh your skin for the seasons ahead.

If you’ve admired someone’s glowy skin lately, chances are they’re benefiting from the beautifying effects of vitamin C. You can have that glow, too! You just need to kick it up a notch with a great serum and good nutrition. Let’s do this together in honor of Vitamin C day this month.  

 

You need vitamin C from a topical serum (and food) to protect your cells from free radicals. Your body produces these molecules when it’s exposed to damaging things like too much sun, smog, and stress. Free radicals wreak havoc on cells, they contribute to dull skin, wrinkles, and premature aging. Vitamin C’s antioxidant powers protect you from these free radicals.

 

Vitamin C helps repair your skin by stimulating collagen production. This precious protein makes your skin supple and radiant. It also evens out your skin tone. So, if you have age spots or freckles, vitamin C keeps them from getting darker by blocking a key melanin-producing enzyme. It also blocks some of the sun’s harmful rays. Check out these helpful

 

This powerful vitamin is one of the most popular skincare ingredients because it’s an amazing (ANTI)oxidant. We all know that a freshly sliced apple will turn brown as it begins to interact with the air and oxidize. But did you know that the oxidizing process slows down if the apple is rubbed, and protected with, vitamin C serum? Imagine similar protection for your skin.

 

And don’t forget, not all vitamin C serums are created equal. There are plenty of duds on the market that just don’t work. That’s why it’s so important to use a high-quality serum to get the best results.

 

Think of it this way: Vitamin C is the diva of skincare ingredients. It demands perfection in lighting and temperature to work its magic. Vitamin C serums are easily damaged by air, light, and heat. They can lose their antioxidant properties even while they’re being made, so they’re challenging to formulate and manufacture.

 

Lucky for us, our shop carries Skinceuticals CE Ferulic antioxidant serum, which has published more studies than any other brand. Our dermatologists consider it the gold standard, and we highly recommend it.

 

We’re so passionate about vitamin C serum; it’s one of our top skincare tips for 2021.

 

Eating foods high in vitamin C stimulates collagen production, which benefits your entire body because it repairs tissues and helps burns and cuts heal. It also maintains bone and teeth health. Studies say it can reduce your chance of getting a chronic disease like cancer. Vitamin C consumption even helps your hair grow and prevents split ends.

 

Here’s a quiz for you. Which of the following vegetables contains vitamin C: cabbage, spinach, or potato? If you said all three, you’re right. It’s common knowledge that fruits are high in vitamin C. But fewer people realize that just as much vitamin C is found in most veggies. Try to get the recommended five servings of fruit and vegetables each day to “vitamin see” your best skin ever!

 

If you have any questions about the above information or want more personalized skincare advice, one of our board-certified dermatologists would be happy to see you for an appointment.